J.Z. George’s football team played through the emotions and pain of losing one of its own as the Jaguars knocked off Leland High School 24-14 last Friday night in Leland.
Junior Dawson Mims was killed in a car wreck on Oct. 13 on his way to school that morning. Now the Jags must turn their attention to O’Bannon High School for their final Region 4-2A game of the regular season.
“It was hard for a lot of them to focus on the game last week, but they all knew we had to play and win it for Dawson,” said J.Z. George head coach Rusty Smith. “We started out sluggish in the first quarter, but we had some step up and remind each one of them why we were out there playing a game. It’s the way Dawson would have wanted it.”
The victory pushed the Jaguars to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in Region 4. O’Bannon is 3-5 overall and 1-1 in the district. The Greenwaves dropped a 43-0 decision to Northside last week. O’Bannon has been outscored 175-68 on the season.
“O’Bannon has always had athletes,” said Smith. “We are evenly matched, and the team that makes the fewest mistakes will come out on top.”
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. Friday in North Carrollton.
In last week’s game, the Jaguars trailed 6-0 after the first period, but they got a 42-yard touchdown pass from JT Mann to AJ Catron in the second period. Jeremiah Williams had the 2-point conversion to make it 8-6 at the half. Both teams scored a touchdown apiece in the third frame. Mann hit Keiyhaun Wilks for a short TD reception, and Jay James had the 2-pointer to give J.Z. George a 16-14 lead headed to the fourth.
Rodney Catron sealed the deal for the Jaguars with a 25-yard interception return in the fourth quarter. Williams had a 2-pointer to make it 24-14.
“We had to settle down after getting through the first quarter and just play,” said Smith. “I liked the way we responded physically and mentally. The tragedy we all went through brought us together. We had unity on that field last week. Jeremy (Rias) is one of our leaders, and he spoke up and talked to the team about getting this one for Dawson. Our kids responded in a big way.”
-Carroll Academy hosts Winston Academy — The Rebels and Patriots play for second place as the two District 2-4A teams square off Friday at 7 p.m. in Carrollton.
Both teams come into the contest at 5-4 overall and 1-1 in the district. They own wins over Indianola, and both lost to Greenville St. Joe.
“It’s a big one for us because a win will likely give us a first-round playoff game at home,” said CA head coach Bo Milton. “A loss probably drops us to the ninth seed, and we would be on the road for the playoffs.”
The top 12 teams in the 4A ranks will make the playoffs, which start on Oct. 28. District winners will get a first-round bye, and the other eight teams will play next week.
Milton said he’s been pleased with the way his team has played in recent weeks.
“It’s been an up-and-down season, but we are doing a much better job throwing the ball,” the veteran coach said. “We have not run for as many yards as we have in the past, but we are more balanced on offense.
“We have been more physical on defense. We have found what has worked and stuck with it. We will need to keep their running back from having a big game.”
Senior Noah Beck had a big game receiving as he hauled in 11 passes from quarterback Brennan Blaylock for 134 yards and a touchdown. He was targeted 18 times in the game. He had one TD called back because of a penalty.
-Contact Calvin Stevens at 662-581-7234 or cstevens@gwcommonwealth.com.
